Vatican message to Hindus emphasizes hope in family life

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome has issued its annual message to Hindus for Diwali, this time stressing family life. The message, entitled “Christians and Hindus: promoting hope among families,” said it is “especially important” that “parents, together with the wider community, instil in their children a sense of hope by guiding them towards a better future and the pursuit of the good, even in the face of adversity.”

“Providing a formation and education in hope is thus a task of paramount importance for families, as it reflects the divine nature of mercy which embraces the disheartened and gives them purpose,” it said added.

In a message titled, “Christians and Hindus: Promoting hope among families,” the statement offered best wishes as India celebrated Deepavali on October 30th, 2016. “May your celebrations around the world deepen your familial bonds, and bring joy and peace to your homes and communities. The health of society depends on our familial bonds and yet we know that today the very notion of family is being undermined by a climate that relativizes its essential significance and value. With this abiding respect for the family, and keenly aware of the global challenges daily confronting us, we wish to offer a reflection on how we, Christians and Hindus together, can promote hope in families, thus making our society ever more humane.”